has anyone ever tried making one of those little bags that dangle from ladies' waists for Anglo-Saxon or Viking re-enacting? I've read that the originals were made with elephant tusk to form the ring - does anyone know if they can be made using a circle of willow?

I've made a few, yes. Whilst some of the originals had hoops of ivory (which may be elephant or it may be mammoth ivory), some are iron and it doesn't seem unreasonable to suggest that other materials might be used, especially as they were (based on the evidence from West Heslerton) completely concealed by the bag material.However, as the hoop should be smooth as well as round, is a ring of willow really suitable?